The American Response to Chinese Expansionism in Cyberspace: US Policy Deconstructed for a European Audience

Photo by Markus Winkler

BY Ludvig Hambraeus

Chinese expansionism in cyberspace is a tangible reality of our day and age which actualises the need for a deeper understanding of both Chinese grand- and cyber-strategy, as well as a more holistic insight into how to best tailor a subsequent response.

U.S. private equity extraordinaire Stephen Schwartzman outlined it well: “In the 21st Century, China is no longer an elective, it is core curriculum”. The same is true for European stakeholders and policymakers, whose understanding of and appreciation for Chinese cyber expansionism in many cases are directly attributable to the success of policies implemented under their supervision.

As we further the discussion on the wider implications of the u.s.- China relationship and its implications on European cyber policy, we must first outline the need from the European side to try and understand how u.s. policy and decisionmakers formulate their analysis of Chinese expansionism, and how they in turn are likely to attempt countermeasures against the former’s expansionist tendencies in cyberspace.

In the following chapters, the reader should be able to gather a baseline understanding of Chinese expansionism in cyberspace and, the subsequent u.s. response, and finally how European decision makers can utilise their knowledge of these constructs when developing area-specific policy.

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Ludvig Hambraeus is a member of the Pacific Council. He is an associate at global law firm Osborne Clarke. He has worked in London and the United States and acted as a representative to the UNCITRAL and the UK House of Commons, focusing on investment law and the intersection of law and finance.

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Pacific Council.